After kitchens, bathrooms are the most-frequently remodeled of household rooms, and for good reason. Most older bathrooms are small, poorly lit, and designed to hold only one person at a time. These bathrooms are impractical and don't fit more modern lifestyles. With two parents and several children preparing for the day at the same time, the morning rush hour can be frantic. To prevent morning traffic jams, master bathrooms are now larger, well lit, and designed with multiple lavatories, and common bathrooms hold separate bathing and lavatory spaces to accommodate more than one person. Half baths are now incorporated into the laundry room to accommodate morning traffic. New homes with 2 1/2 baths suffice for larger families, while older homes were not designed to handle more than a couple people.

The designs used in newer homes can be applied to the bathroom remodel. It is often necessary to steal space from the existing living area or to add new space to accomplish this goal. It is important to add closet space when remodeling a bath, as most older baths lack adequate storage area. When renovating a bathroom, use top quality materials. The area being renovated is not that big; better-quality materials will not add significantly to the cost of the project. Choose light neutral colors such as almond and off-white for fixtures and finishes; if styles change, it is much easier to change wallpaper and decorations than the shower unit. Ceramic tile floors and solid surface countertops are very durable; they cost more, but they hold up well in this high traffic area. If natural lighting is not available, use task and ambient lighting, much as you would in the kitchen, to brighten the space. If the room you have to work with is small, add a mirrored wall to give the illusion of space.

Per square foot, the bathroom is the most costly room to remodel, so choose materials and fixtures that will hold up to extensive use; you don't want to have to replace the fixtures in five years. Design a new bath with plenty of storage; it will make the space easier to keep clean. A bathroom exhaust fan is critical to keep moisture under control. Try to make the space multi-purpose, if possible, to handle traffic during busy periods. Design the space to be bright and airy; skylights work well in the bathroom if they can be installed. A low-flush toilet should be installed if not required by code. If you want the bathroom to be colorful, use color in wallpaper, pictures, plants, and wall hangings. New bathrooms should be convenient to bedrooms and half baths should allow easy access from the kitchen or family room.

BATH DESIGN TIPS:
*a vanity with an integral sink is easier to maintain.
*a full mirror over the sink will make the room feel larger.
*frosted privacy glass can allow for more or larger windows which can bring more light into the bath area.
*a double vanity can ease morning traffic jams.